KRRC Enlisted Powerful Consulting Firm to Navigate Klamath Dam Removal Challenges

“CEA’s client base reads like a who’s who of environmental power players, their involvement signals the level of complexity and importance of the Klamath project.”

In a strategic move to address the complex issues surrounding the Klamath River dam removal project, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) partnered with CEA Consulting, a San Francisco-based firm with deep ties to major environmental and corporate interests.

While KRRC officials have emphasized their commitment to transparency throughout the process and invite the public to stay informed through their official channels.

CEA Consulting, known for its work with influential clients across the environmental sector, was brought on board by KRRC in 2016 to help navigate the multifaceted challenges of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history.

While CEA Consulting does not publicly disclose its full client list, industry insiders report that the firm’s roster includes some of the nation’s largest environmental foundations, nonprofits, and corporations focused on sustainability. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that CEA’s clients have included:

The Sierra Club
The Rockefeller Foundation
California Department of Conservation
California Energy Commission
California Ocean Protection Council
The Nature Conservancy
World Wildlife Fund
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
Oceana
Conservation International

and so on!

Several Fortune 500 companies with significant environmental initiatives

Nestlé
General Electric Transportation
Southern California Edison
Toyota Motor Sales, USA
Union Pacific Railroad
And companies like Sonoma Technology, Inc.

Whom has clients like, Shell Exploration and Production Company, Valero Energy Corporation, Electric Power Research Institute, and Google.

CEA’s approach to the Klamath project has been multifaceted, anticipating the complex issues that have long plagued the basin:

Water Rights Conflicts: CEA developed strategies to address the longstanding disputes over water allocation between agricultural interests, indigenous tribes, and environmental needs.

Economic Concerns: The firm conducted comprehensive economic impact studies and developed plans to mitigate potential negative effects on local communities.

Tribal Relations: CEA facilitated discussions with the Yurok, Karuk, and other tribes to ensure their perspectives were central to the project planning.

Environmental Misinformation: Recognizing the potential for misinformation, CEA implemented a proactive communication strategy to provide accurate, science-based information to the public.

Regulatory Navigation: The firm’s expertise was crucial in navigating the complex web of state and federal regulations governing dam removal and river restoration.

Critics have raised questions about the influence of such a well-connected firm on public environmental projects and cautioned, “While CEA’s expertise is clear, it’s crucial to maintain transparency about how private consulting shapes public environmental policy.” anonymous

The effectiveness of KRRC’s partnership with CEA Consulting likely be closely watched by both environmental advocates and industry observers. The outcome could set precedents for how complex environmental initiatives are managed in the future.